Christmas card display device simulating a tree



Aug. 24, I948. c. H. HAZELTON 2,447,855

- CHRISTMAS CARD DISPLAY DEVICE SIMULATING A TREE Filed June 14, 1945 L INVENTOR.

6Z4mswc lib 42:2 ra/v T a-a T T @M ATTORNfYJ' Patented Aug. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHRISTMAS CARD DISPLAY DEVICE SIMULATIN G A TREE 4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates todevices for displaying cards orthe like and more particularly a display device wherein the arrangement of cards thereon transforms the device into an ornamental object simulating, for example, the appearance of a Christmas tree.

In card display devices heretofore in use the object has been to provide a means for supporting cards so that customers in a store could examine each card and thereby quickly and easily make a selection for purchase. Such devices are used in stationery stores, drug stores, gifts shops, and. the like, as an aid to buyers and also to attract buyers to an inspection of the cards.

Some of the objects of the present invention are: to provide an improved device for supporting a collection of cards conveniently and attractively; to provide a device to be sold in homes so that Christmas cards received in the family can be assembled thereon instead of being scattered about everywhere in the house where they are lost or misplaced; to provide a device so arranged and constructed that cards can be quickly attached thereto in such an arranged manner as to give an ensemble appearance of a decorated Christmas tree; to provide a card supporting device of knock-down form which can be quickly assembled, serve its purpose as a support for a large number of cards, and having served its purpose be put away for use again at some future time; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a display device embodying one form of the present invention; Fig. 2 represents the same as filled with cards to simulate a Christmas tree in appearance; Fig. 3 represents a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4--4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 represents a front elevation of one of the backing members; Fig. 6 represents a front elevation of one of the card-holding sheets; Fig. 7 represents a front elevation of one of the flexing holding strips; Fig. 8 represents a section on line 88 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 9 represents a perspective view of the retainer.

Referring to the drawings, one form of the present invention comprises a base ll] having a centrally disposed column ll carrying a platform l2, here shown in the shape of a triangle having concave sides with upstanding walls l3 attached thereto. These walls I3 form lateral supports for the outer faces of three backing members I4, Each of these members It is formed preferably of cardboard, though obviously any stiff material may be used. Each of these members is of pyramid shape, having two score lines l5, symmetrical with respect to the median line of the member, and diverging from the apex downwardf When folded along the score lines 15, the two half portions of the mem ber form a triangle in transverse section and the bottom of each is arranged to seat in the groove formed by the converging walls [3 of the platform. When so seated the narrow backs of the three members form a three-sided space into which a cup-shaped retainer I5 is located, having plane surfaces in contact respectively with the aforesaid back portions of the members 14. Thus, the three members I4 are firmly held at the base portions between the retainer I5 and the walls l3.

In order to hold the narrow upper ends of the members It in place, each is provided with an end slot to leave each end as bifurcated and sufllciently resilient to lie against the three sides of a reinforcing element 16 and be gripped by an encircling collar l1. Both the element l6 and the collar ll are of triangular frustum shape for proper surface contact with the ends of the inner and outer faces of the members I4. Thus, the three members M as assembled on the platform, the walls [3 and the retainer l5 firmly anchor the base part while the three top apices are gripped between the element It and the collar I1, and the result in appearance is that of a three-sided closed pyramid having concave sides.

In order to provide means for readily mounting and supporting cards on the formed pyramid, three card-gripping sheets I8 of stiff material are provided, one to lie along the outer face of each member [4. These sheets l8 taper convergingly upward, from a base having a width approximately one half of the base of each member, to a small end of a size to be inserted within the collar ll. Medially, each sheet I8 is provided with a score line l9 so that it can be pressed into face contact with the curved face of a member M. The bottom edge of each sheet l8 rests upon the upper margin of the retainer IE to thereby expose three portions of the open end of the retainer l5 and which portions form sockets 20 for a purpose later to be described.

In order to provide an effective gripping action by the sheets l8 upon any cards inserted under the edges thereof, relatively narrow stiff strips 2| of wood or other material are superposed exteriorly and medially of the respective sheets 3 t3, the lower ends of which are respectively seated in the sockets 20 while the upper ends thereof pass through the collar l1 and are held thereby. This, due to the angular spread of the strips 2| plus the holding action of the retainer 15 an inward pressure is exerted by all of the strips to hold the sheets I8 firmly against the members I l. The outer face of each of the strips 2| is painted brown.in;color to give the appear.- ance of a tree trunk.- Also, the faces of the sheets and members are to be painted to represent tree limbs and evergreen foliage.

As a finish to the top of the tree-shaped pyieamid, a cap or spire 22 is provided anddimem sioned to fit snugly over the collar [1, though, any other ornamental object may be used which will serve to accentuate the tip of-, artree and;

preserve the desired illusion when the cards are arranged thereon.

Since the display assembly is in knock-down form, it can bedelivered to;=purchasers-who. can;

readily; assemble; it into, av stable support. This is accomplished by. foldinggthamembers. I 4; along. the; score: lines into. trian ular; form. andfitting. them into: the spaceformed by the platformv walls;

l3:.-Jand;.abutting. th.e.,retainer.;l5. The slotted 1). ends. a e then gbrought together v against, the sides of the;reinf.orcingz element and thetruncated collar, I"! slippedqoverthe, endsand pressed.

tightly to holdingzpos tioni Thus, a three-sided closedpwamid is formedof proper tapered .appearance to, give the, desired -,tre,e .eff.ec.t. sheets, I8 arenow placed in positionwith. theupperzendsthereof gripped under the, collar l'l and held by=insertingthestrips211 in the sockets 2B of,the-.retainer l5,-, and pressing the. top narrow ends thereof through the; collar Withthe.

cap 22 in place, the device is ready to. have the cards arranged thereon.

From; the. foregoing it will i be a parent. that thehollow triangular shape of the device. providesthree. broad-.curvedsur for the most effective arrangement and display of the,cards. By reason ofthe tight surface'fit of the. sheets,

l8, vthe cards can be, easily slipped back of ,the sheet: margins and, being held frictionally they canbe arranged toprotrude beyond. each sharply. angled corner andthus lie back to back with Also,.the overlapping, .of the. cards. along the three, corners gives a jagged outline. like evergreenfoliage, and. the. effect viewedfrom any angle, is that .of a Christ.-v

cards. on the opposite side.

mastree silhouette...

I claim: 1. Adisplay device for. simulating a Christmas tree comprisinga platform, pedestal means for.

supporting said platform, a pluralityof pyramidal shaped members supported by saidplatform and arranged in assembled condition to form an .elon. gated tree-shaped body, means connecting the.

upper endsof said members together, sheets respectively arranged inface contact withv said members and held by said connecting means,

strips arranged respectively against said sheets and held by said connecting means at the upper ends, and means engaging the lower ends of said strips toflex said" strips against said sheets, wherebycards: inserted-under the margins of said sheetsand under said strips'are' frictionally' held andcan be arrangedto give the decorative-effect of a Christmas tree.

The

of said. strips to flex said strips against said sheets, whereby cards inserted under the margins of-vsaid sheets and under said strips are frictionally held and can be arranged to give the decorative effect of a Christmas tree.

3..Ajdis'play device for simulating a Christmas tree, comprising a platform having an encircling wall,-,pedestal.=means for supporting said ,platform. a cup-shaped retainer, seatedv upon said.

platform,three pyramidal shaped members sup,-,-

portedby said platform and. gripped. between said wall and said retainer to form an elongated tree-shaped body, meansconnecting theupper ends of said memberstogether, sheetsrespective- 1y arranged in face contact with said. membersv and seated on said retainer atthe, bottom. and. held by said connecting means. at-the top, and" strips flexed between said connecting means and said retainer .for holding said sheets pressed.

against said body, whereby cards inserted under themargins ofsaid sheets and under said strips are frictionallyheld and can be arranged to give. thedecorative effect of a Christmas tree.

4. A display device simulating a Christmas tree, comprising a platform, three side membersformed of bendable material, each member being arranged to fold" to substantially triangular form in cross section, means to support said members on said base in side to side relation, supplementali sheets of: material mounted on said base to respectively-overlap each pairof'said members;

retaining stripsrespectively holding said sheets against said members; and cap means receiving theupper ends of saidmembers, sheets and strips; whereby-the overlapped sheet margins form means' to" insert cards-to produce an overall simulation of a- Christmas tree.

CLARENCE HAZ-ELTON.

REFERENCESLCITED The following references are of record in the.

file, of this patent;

UNITED; STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 256,296" Currier; ,Apr. 11,1882 259;7'71' McLoughlin June.3(1,"1882 3391173" Heaton Apr. 6,:1886 516,262 Claflin: Mar.,-13,j1894=" 1,408,469 Rand Mar. 7,1922 1,420,433 Mallon June"20,.1922 1,575,129 Schenck Mar, 2,19%" 1,6571074 Eilertsenet a1; .Jan; 24; 1928' 1,692,404 Conwell- Nov; 20,1928 2,265,371 Hoffman; Dec-.'9,"1941 

